Amethyst and amber skies created the perfect backdrop for a wholesome summer evening at the New York Sanctum. All masters, apprentices and novices that resided there (and a few from elsewhere) stood outside in the pretty courtyard that was decorated with bright torches amongst the pale-pink cherry blossoms. The Ancient One stood proudly at the front of the crowd with Mordo by her side, who held a large, thin, smooth wooden box, delicately detailed with runes. Towards the front of the crowd, Marcus stood, beaming, with his hand upon a sixteen-year-old Tessa's shoulder. The girl still wore her crimson tunic and trousers but did so with pride. Elijah stood by their side also, his mouth a slightly curved line.

"Masters, students," The Ancient One smiled warmly at all of them, "Today we gather to admit another of our fellow sorceresses into the rank of Master...To become a Master of our ancient mystic arts, it requires an enormous amount of self-discipline, patience, perseverance, courage and integrity. Once an apprentice has truly mastered these values, it is not only a time for them to progress in rank in order to further their knowledge but it is cause for a celebration that an individual has chosen to pursue such a difficult and demanding path, all for the greater good. Particularly celebratory in this case is the fact that I award the title to one so young." Her eyes, full of motherly satisfaction, landed on the teenager, "Master - Kent, please could you present our newest member of the rank."

Marcus nodded, gently pressuring Tessa's shoulder to encourage her to head to the Ancient One. Walking beside her, he looked at Tessa, content that he was presenting the girl he had raised - although, not by personal choice. Of course, he did wonder what it would have been like if Jackson saw his daughter now. But he immediately quashed that thought with a delusional one instead, contemplating what Thea would think of him raising her child so well.

Oblivious to his twisted thinking, Tessa smiled brightly, thrilled that she was the youngest to go through with this ceremony.

"Before I present you with your robes, you must undertake the oath. Are you ready?"

The teenager nodded, turning to face her fellow sorcerers, before an solemnly announcing, "I sincerely vow to do my best, to be loyal to my fellow sorcerers and develop my understanding of the mystic arts, to serve this reality and its people, to protect the multiverse and to uphold the natural law."

Placing a hand on the girl's shoulder, the Ancient One said, "I declare Tessa Hanna Hyde, daughter of the late Master Jackson Hyde and Master Thea Hyde, our newest Master of the mystic arts."

The crowd clapped for the girl as Mordo, smiling, stepped beside her and opened the box he held to reveal robes of the same forest green that her late father once wore. The Ancient One squeezed Tessa's shoulder tenderly as she fished her robes out of the box.

"Congratulations, Tessa." Mordo said.

"Thank you." She grinned, ecstatic over her achievement.

Sometime later, after the girl had changed into her long-awaited robes and had been congratulated by many fellow Masters and student sorcerers, only Marcus, Elijah, Mordo and the Ancient One remained with Tessa.

"Well, I'm going to turn-in." Elijah smiled, patting the young Master on her shoulder warmly, "Well done again, Tess."

"Night, Eli! Thank you." She waved him off with a smile.

"I suppose we should head in too." Marcus said wearily, "Got lots to practice tomorrow."

"I am sure she can be spared a day to bask in her achievement," Mordo suggested, much to the silent relief of Tessa.

"Well, Karl - "

"You can address me as Mordo - "

Marcus ignored him, "You'll learn that us protectors of the realms are not spared rest often. Come, Tessa. Bed."

"I would rather stay up and 'bask in the glory of my title' some more, Uncle." She said with mock-poshness, earning a smirk from Mordo.

"Well, we can't get everything - "

"Let her stay with us, Marcus." The Ancient One interjected lightly but gave the Master a stern look, "I'll send her to bed soon."

There was an irked spark in his eyes, a flash of irritation, a snapshot of a fiery thought but he exhaled sharply, slowly, gave a nod and a straight-lined smile (if one could even call it that) to the other three. His gaze lingered on Tessa who shuffled uncomfortably under it but eventually turned to go.

"Goodnight," The word struggled out of the troublesome Master's lips.

Once he was gone, Tessa turned to Mordo and the Ancient One, "I'm sixteen now, and you've just awarded me the rank of Master, please, please, please," She pleaded, "Please, let me come and live with you at Kamar-Taj."

"Tessa, you know I view you like my own daughter but I am not, in good conscience, able to say yes."

"But why? If you're worried about trouble, it's fine, I can take care of myself - "

"We face very unique threats and I would hate to be the one that put you in harms way by saying yes. If word gets out about how close we are, there is no telling who or what might decide to target you."

"Whatever may decide to target me can't be as bad as my Uncle's gruelling training schedules..." She grumbled.

The Ancient One and Mordo chuckled in unison. With a grin, Mordo shook his head at the girl, appreciating the simple fact that he had been able to get to know such a prominent young sorceress over the years he had been here. He even felt somewhat protective over her, hence his minor insistence to Marcus to give her a break.

"One day," The Ancient One spoke gently, not willing to make any promises, "One day, you may join me at Kamat-Taj."

"Why can't that day be today though?"

The apprentice chuckled, "Earlier, the Ancient One said you had developed a significant amount of patience to get to where you are today - how come I do not see it now, Tessa?" Mordo queried, "As a Master you are supposed to be setting a good example for me, are you not?"

Tessa rolled her lips between her teeth in an awkward smile.

"Mordo is right, Tessa. You must maintain your patience across all areas of life, including over your living arrangements."

"You know, I once read a Chinese proverb," Mordo continued, "It said 'one moment of patience may ward off great disaster. One moment of impatience may ruin a whole life.'"

A pensive silence fell over the three as they all carefully digested those words.

In truth, the Ancient One knew the profound statement spoke directly of her fears, especially after the scare with the other in the Nepalese temple. In not returning to Nepal, Tessa was saving not only herself, but others too however should Tessa break that enterprise of patience then the Ancient One feared that many lives would be negatively impacted by the choice. It was for the sake of many that she insisted Tessa stay put with her deplorable 'Uncle'. Oh, how she regretted her decision in forcing Marcus to take care of the girl all because she was simply too afraid to raise the child herself. She supposed it was too late and too odd to ask Mordo to take over care of the girl and so, unfortunately, concluded that Marcus was the best person for her to be with, despite the rigorous training he put her through.

"I mean, I get the patience thing but I still really want to live in Nepal." Tessa finally said.

Both older sorcerers scoffed.

"One day," The Ancient One repeated, "One day..."

They let the silence settle again for a moment, content with the gentle twinkling night sky.

Mordo stood from the wall, stretching, "I suppose I better head back. Master Makarov has agreed to give me a one-to-one lesson tomorrow."

"Good luck." Tessa said, "If you spar, watch out for his jumping kick."

"I will keep that in mind, thank you. Congratulations again, goodnight." Mordo nodded as he left the two sorceresses alone.

The two watched the night sky, deeply intrigued by the stars and the science behind them. As Tessa continued to look up at the dazzling sight, the Ancient One looked down to admire the girl who sat on the floor, her auburn hair tied in a neat French plait, back erect against the small wall that she was sat on.

"Isn't it fascinating how, when we look up at the night sky, we are seeing the past? The stars we see above, the closest one to earth, Alpha Centauri, resides in the darkness four light years away - it lives four years in the past from us."

"It's mad - sounds impossible."

"It does. And yet it isn't." She sighed, "Time passes differently for all of us. These years with you, Tessa, seem to have flown by - it feels like yesterday that I was sat in the Kamar-Taj temple drinking tea with a version of you that was only as tall as my legs."

Tessa turned her head to look up and smile fondly at the Ancient One who merely gazed back down at her gravely.

"One day, I won't be here anymore and you will have to continue your journey alone. You will likely face mystical dangers but also human dissonance, perhaps alone, hopefully with others by your side. There will be times when you may be fearful, anxious and upset, there may be times where you feel you have lost all hope but, please, remember, that even if you are alone physically in a future where I am not present, you will never, ever, be alone spiritually."

"Because even if you're not here, you'll still be watching over me somehow, won't you?"

The Ancient One smiled softly, sadly, "I am ever so proud of you and am honoured to have been able to train you as I have. Do you know why?"

Tessa shook her head curiously.

"Because you possess a rather unique strength found in very few people. You're empathy, diplomacy, fearlessness and passion to help allow you to not only confront those who are in the wrong, but enable you to bring people together. For example, Mordo. When he first came to us, he sought revenge for the murder of his wife and yet, while he was clearly and understandably anguished, you were able to calm him and give him a different purpose - you helped him channel that anger into a more useful skill and in doing so, seamlessly inducted him into our lives." She paused, "Never lose that virtue of yours. It may just save your life one day."

Tessa thought for a moment, wondering if this was the Ancient One's way of saying goodbye. She didn't want to lose another member of her family so soon.

"I'm not going anywhere anytime soon," She said, "I am simply offering the wise ramblings of a very old woman."

"You don't look a day over thirty."

The Ancient One laughed and said, "Come, I will walk you to your room."

As the Ancient One stood, she offered a hand to Tessa of which the teenager took and hauled herself back up onto her feet. For a moment, the Sorceress Supreme admired the way Tessa's dark green robes suited her so well.

"Your father and mother would be so proud of you if they could see you now."

Tessa smiled sadly, appreciatively, as she followed after the Ancient One.

* * * * * * *

A sunny blade made her eyelids glow piercing vermillion. Tessa stirred, eyes flickering, adjusting to the brightness. Kneeling in front of a small table, she recognised two familiar mugs, the one closest to her possessing liquid - steaming tea (with honey she presumed) - and the other empty. She looked up, acknowledging the familiar bright orb, still in the air before her, with a squint.

Tessa?

Groggily, she said, "Tee?"

She speaks to me. She is back.

"Back? Tee, what happened?"

Hush, child, give us a moment. You will be with us soon.

With more effort than she thought would be needed, Tessa stood, weary, caught off guard by the stiffness she felt. Being active in her head felt odd to her, alien even. She remembered another Entity...she recalled they met it at the top of the Obeliscus Solis...what had happened after? Was she dead? Did they lose?

Do not panic, Tessa, all is well.

The ball of light moved and approached her then.

I have missed you, little one. I thought...I thought I lost you.

"Why? What happened?" She questioned again.

If you take control, we will explain.

"We?"

The sorcerer, the librarian and I.

"Are they okay?"

You can see for yourself, child. Please, I relinquish control for you.

The pleased sunny presence motioned for the sorceress to take her place at the head of the table. Confused, she moved back to the sole piece of furniture in the room and knelt once more.

* * * * * *

Pale eyelids cracked open. Underneath peeked two vibrant, colourful, emerald eyes, heavy with sleepiness.

As soon as he saw her, Stephen bowed his head with a small chuckle, his shaky hands clasping one of Tessa's own. Wong smiled slowly as the sorceress stirred from the bed she lay in with a small groan.

She looked between the two sorcerers with a faint smile, sensing that she had been absent for some time given their reactions.

She murmured, "Hey..."

The Cloak of Levitation darted up beside Stephen at hearing her voice and patted her head possessively. This earned a small chuckle from all.

"Hey," Stephen replied softly, "You gave us all a good fright."

"Ah...I've just learned to like sleeping in." Tessa croaked with a smirk, appreciating the doctor's handsome face.

Wong said, "I would say a month counts as oversleeping big time."

"Wait - a month?"

The men nodded gravely.

Defeating the other took a terrifying toll on you. From what I understand, your mind shattered under the sheer force it took to eliminate the other from your mind. I now assume it is what could have happened had I successfully managed to leave you several months ago.

"The Entity - and sometimes myself and Stephen - took to assisting you in rebuilding your psyche." Wong explained, "We had to be careful not to overwhelm your mind again while at the same time wanting you to potentially recover faster."

"It was never guaranteed," Stephen added, "But I was the best neurosurgeon in New York so I was confident you would recover under my - "

Our -

Wong interrupted, "Our - "

" - our care - especially when brains are my forté." Stephen finished with gleaming smile.

"My absence - and, actually, my recovery - has not done your ego any good, has it?"

"It's not often I get to flaunt it anymore."

"Awh, big bad sorcerer wants to take is pet Ego on more walks, does he?" Tessa pouted mockingly.

"It appears a month off did nothing to shake your wit - "

"Must be because of your exquisite care."

"Exact - "

"Thank you, Wong." Tessa looked at the librarian gratefully, "I know Stephen could have never done it without you."

"Of course. I was honoured to work alongside the Entity who, in actual fact, did most of the work. I merely oversaw and guided."

Stephen's jaw hung for a moment.

I would like to note that the sorcerer was never this confident throughout the month. He had no idea what he was doing.

Tessa looked away from Stephen, a small smirk crossing her lips.

"What?" Stephen interrogated, "What did the Entity say?"

"Nothing." Tessa shrugged, looking up at him again with a mischievous grin.

To be quite honest, none of us really knew what we were doing. Strange always approached you with care though.

"Thank you," Tessa repeated, sitting up with the help of the cloak and swung her legs over the side of the bed, "A month is a long time though. Anything interesting happen while I was out?"

Wong scoffed, "A lot. Douglas Trent is still President before you get hopeful."

"Ah, that's depressing." Tessa hummed.

"On top of that, in terms of public health, Trent declared opioid usage in the US a crisis." Stephen said, "Then proceeded to do nothing about it."

"Disappointed but not surprised."

"What else..." Stephen mumbled.

"An American woman won the women's New York Marathon," Wong offered, "First American woman since nineteen-seventy-seven, I read."

Tessa nodded, staring at the two for a moment, "So a lot but nothing that interesting then?"

The two men looked at each other and then back at her with a shrug.

"Not really." Strange said.

"Actually," Wong looked at the sorcerer again, "The Ancient One, before she passed, asked me to keep an eye on Stephen - said I would know what to do when he was ready."

The sorcerer rubbed the back of his neck, "Oh, yeah..."

"So we have appointed Master - "

He droned lowly, "Doctor - "

Wong gave him a sharp look, " - Stephen Strange as our new Sorcerer Supreme. I believe he has proven his worthiness of the title in dealing with your situation. Despite my countless warnings not to touch our higher level texts, he did so anyway and gained life-saving knowledge that protected those at the New York sanctum and yourself. Where I was wary and ignorant, Stephen was welcoming and eager to learn - willing to share the responsibility of a creature stereotypically frowned upon within our society. And, despite his hippocratic oath, he has shown that, if the situation does require it, he is willing to do anything to protect the many."

Tessa smiled at him, "Congratulations."

Sheepishly, Stephen nodded his thanks.

* * * * * *

In the large dining room of the New York sanctum, many content faces sat around the long table that evening.

Master De Leon and Master Bawa sat, happily chatting about mundane life events in front of the three newly appointed Masters: Sura, Henry and Liam. The three spoke ecstatically with one another, recalling the terrifying battle and pointing out cuts that had still not healed fully on their faces, trying to guess which of them would end up being a memorable scar if any.

Ivan sat beside his wife, Alina, still recovering from his broken ribs, and lovingly accepted being asked by his wife every thirty seconds if he was comfortable, if he was okay, if he needed anything more. Eventually, Ivan got so overwhelmed with her questions that he simply leaned in quickly to peck her on the lips, thinking he would be smooth by saying that all he needed was her, but as he did, he groaned, gently headbutting her instead as he held his ribs, cursing himself for moving too fast, cursing himself even more when this elicited even more worried questions from his dear wife, as she held him carefully, cradling his head in the crook of her neck, not even acknowledging the awkward headbutt.

Quieter than the rest, Sacha and Olek sat, gazing at each other sweetly, holding each other's hands on top of the table, not caring for words when their actions spoke volumes. Varvara shoehorned her wheelchair between the two of them, questioning rather intensely if they would only be staring at each other the whole night or actually conversing with her too because she wasn't dead yet and didn't plan to be any time soon. Bashfully, the two made some more room for her wheelchair and continued to chat, getting on like a house on fire.

There were three empty seats at the head of the table, waiting to be filled.

Outside the dining room, Tessa hesitated from going in, her arm intertwined with Stephen's who was helping her walk.

Wong went in, leaving the two of them to talk briefly.

"I - I haven't forgotten about Idha or the memory spell." She paused, "I think it's best to make them forget about Tee - "

There is no need.

Stephen shook his head, "You and the other residents were understandably worried before. The reveal was a shock and most were against the idea but Wong and I took it upon ourselves to explain the full story to everyone, including both yours and the Entity's selfless decision to solely take on the other."

"They can't be accepting that fast though - "

"And not all of them are. They're getting there. What helped most was that, while you were out of action, the Entity took it upon itself to try and integrate more with the communities across the sanctums, even helping with some of the rebuilding of Kamar-Taj."

It is true. I have made...friends.

This brought a soft smile to Tessa's face.

Stephen smiled back at her and said gently, "I think you'll find, when you head in, that most people will be glad to see you - and the Entity - again. Especially you after a month of uncertainty."

"Are you sure?"

Stephen scoffed, "I'm the Sorcerer Supreme, of course I'm sure."

Tessa rolled her eyes sighing, "Oh God, you're really gonna dine out on that now, aren't you?"

"Oh, you know me so well."

"And we haven't even had dinner yet." Tessa laughed and shook her head, "Come on then, Sorcerer Supreme, let's go."

The two walked in and what was once loud chatter died down to silence the second people caught sight of Tessa's colourful eyes. Shuffling on her feet, she looked up at Stephen and then out at the table again.

"Hi everyone..." She smiled and gave a shy little wave.

From down the table, Sura whooped and clapped her hands, setting off everyone else too, along with a chorus of 'glad-to-see-you-backs', 'good-to-see-yous' and 'happy-you're-backs'.

Remember Sura? She thinks I am 'awesome'. Because of this, we most certainly cannot make them forget.

Tessa giggled quietly to herself as she waited for the applause to die down, proud that the Entity now felt like one of them and had worked on its own relationships with others.

Stephen took the seat at the head of the table and Tessa took a seat to the right of him while Wong already sat to the left.

The room resumed their seperate raucous conversations and loud laughter.

The Entity sat quiet in her mind now, content and appreciating the fact that its host was back and that it could finally share its achievements with her.

Wong started talking to one of the sorceresses beside him.

Stephen and Tessa shared a smile, hopeful of where the future would take them next.

_____________________

A/N - r.i.p them in Infinity War/Endgame...

One more chapter to go!